This dog is being awarded the 'animal Victoria Cross' for helping the British Army fight the Taliban even after being hit by 3 grenades

Mali and her current handler, Corporal Daniel Hatley of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, appear on the BBC's "Victoria Derbyshire" programme.

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BBC

Mali, a Belgian Malinois, took part in a raid in Kabul
in 2012.

He was wounded repeatedly while helping UK special
forces.

Mali is receiving the Dickin Medal for gallantry in
London on Friday.

A British Army service dog is being awarded the highest honour
available to animal combatants for displaying extraordinary
bravery on the field of battle in Afghanistan.

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Mali, an eight-year-old Belgian Malinois, was injured by three
separate grenade blasts during an assault by special forces on a
Taliban stronghold, but kept fighting.

He stuck with his handlers, members of Britain's elite Special
Boat Service (SBS), during the 2012 operation in Kabul,
performing "above and beyond the call of duty."

In recognition of his service, Mali is being awarded the Dickin
Medal, which is described as an animal equivalent of the Victoria
Cross, the highest British award for military gallantry.

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Footage of the raid, broadcast by Sky News, shows an SBS soldier carrying Mali through the firefight in Kabul.

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Sky News

A press release from The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals -
the charity which awards the medal - described Mali's actions in
more detail. The operation was a joint enterprise between
British, Afghan, and other coalition forces.

It said:

"MWD (Military Working Dog) Mali was part of a British Military
unit deployed to Afghanistan in 2012. During his tenure, Mali was
deployed to assist in an operation to secure an enemy stronghold,
situated in a multi-storey building. The significance of his
actions during this seven-and- a-half- hour mission saw him
perform above and beyond the call of duty on numerous occasions.

"Mali was sent through direct fire on two separate occasions to
conduct searches for explosives. He also indicated the presence
of insurgents numerous times, giving the assault force vital
milliseconds to engage the enemy in close quarter combat.

"During the operation, Mali was hoisted up the outside of the
building several times to provide the assault force with a key
foothold to attack the insurgents.

"In the melée that took place, the assault force sustained
casualties. Mali was also seriously injured by three grenade
blasts; the first two explosions caused injuries to his chest,
front and rear legs. A further blast detonated close to his face,
causing the loss of Mali's front tooth and damage to his right
ear.

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An image taken shortly after the raid, showing Mali's injuries from grenade shrapnel.

source

PDSA

"Despite his injuries, Mali continued his duties and pushed
forward, remaining close to his handler. He played a key role in
breaking the stalemate that had begun to develop in the building,
providing impetus for the host nation and UK forces to continue
to fight and bring about a successful resolution.

"Mali displayed outstanding courage in the face of fire and there
is no doubt that his actions throughout the operation were
pivotal in the success of breaking an enemy stronghold, helping
to save multiple lives and prevent further injury."

Mali is due to be awarded the Dickin Medal at a ceremony in
central London on Friday afternoon. The British Army's Facebook
page also published this video celebrating Mali's achievement:

Mali's handler at the time was also awarded a gallantry medal for
his actions, but his identity has been kept secret for security
reasons.

After the raid, Mali transferred from frontline duties with the
SBS. He now works with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and helps
to train new dog handlers.